Why Are Different Places Similar? Chapter 1 – Key Issue 3 Why Are Different Places Similar?

Why Are Different Places Similar? Scale, space, and connections help geographers explain why similarities among places and regions do not result from coincidence. Scale is the relationship between the portion of the Earth being studied and Earth as a whole. Globalization is a force or process that involves the entire world and results in making something worldwide in scope. Globalization means that the scale of the world is shrinking, not literally in size, of course, but in the ability of a person, object, or an idea to interact with a person, object, or idea in another place.

Globalization of Culture Uniform cultural preferences produce uniform “global” landscapes of material and of values. Fast-food restaurants, service stations, and retail chains deliberately create a visual appearance that locations differ as little as possible. Produces a sense of familiarity for the consumer in what may be an unfamiliar place overall, such as when traveling away from one’s hometown

Globalization of Culture Cultural differences still persist and flourish Answers for McDonald’s A. Hong Kong B. Japan C. Hungary D. Germany E. United Arab Emirates F. Israel G. England

Globalization of Culture Communities can develop culture that is innately local &/or a reflection of globalization Any examples you can think of?

Globalization of Culture Globalization requires common communication. Some languages are beginning to rise above the fold. Mandarin, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindustani (Accepting regional differences in Hindi and Urdu) Additionally, the blending of languages is a sign of globalization. BBC Article

Globalization of Culture Technology has increased the rate of globalization. Radio, TV, and the Internet have all exponentially affected our communications

Globalization of Economy Globalization of the economy has been created primarily by transnational corporations, sometimes called multinational corporations. A transnational corporation conducts research, operates factories, and sells products in many countries, not just where its headquarters and principal shareholders are located. Every place in the world is part of the global economy, but globalization has led to more specialization at the local level. In a global economy, transnational corporations remain competitive by correctly identifying the optimal location for each of its activities.

FIGURE 1-22 GLOBALIZATION OF ECONOMY Most North Face clothing is manufactured in Latin America and Asia. The company’s headquarters is in San Leandro, California, the headquarters of its parent VF Corporation is in Greensboro, North Carolina, and manufacturing is managed from its Hong Kong office.

Globalization of Economy Recession that began in 2008 has been called the first global recession. Home buyers in the U.S. to sales clerks in Japan were all caught in a web of falling demand and lack of credit. Every place in the world is part of the global economy, but globalization has led to more specialization at the local level. In a global economy, transnational corporations remain competitive by correctly identifying the optimal location for each of its activities. Real GDP growth rates for 2009

Globalization of Economy

CrashCourse - Globalization

Why Are Different Places Similar? Space: Distribution of Features Space refers to the physical gap or interval between two objects. Geographers think about the arrangement of people and activities in an attempt to try to understand why they are in such a distribution. The arrangement of a future in space as long as its distribution

Space: Distribution of Features Geographers identify three main properties of distribution across Earth. Density- frequency with which something occurs in space Involves the number of a feature and the land area Concentration- extent of a feature’s spread over space Closely spaced together is known as clustered. Relatively far apart is known as dispersed. Pattern- geometric arrangement of objects in space

Cultural Identity in Space Patterns in space vary according to gender, ethnicity, sexuality. The cultural landscape has the ability to communicate to people what the accepted norm is within a place. Ex. A bar or park that makes whites feel welcomed and people of color unwelcomed (or vice versa) Ex. An inviting shopping district to people practicing alternative lifestyles located in close proximity to where many same-sex couples live Humanistic geography is a branch of human geography that emphasizes the different ways that individuals perceive their surrounding environment.

Cultural Identity in Space Branches of geography seek to better understand the dynamics of gender, ethnicity, and sexuality by looking at the matter through different lenses. Behavioral geography is a branch of human geography that attempts to understand the psychological basis for individual human actions. Humanistic geography is a branch of human geography that emphasizes the different ways that individuals perceive their surrounding environment. Poststructuralist geography emphasizes the need to understand multiple perspectives regarding space.

FIGURE 1-30 SEXUAL DIVERSITY IN SPACE The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association maps the distribution of laws that discriminate on the basis of gender. The harshest laws against male–male or female–female relationships are found in sub-Saharan Africa and Southwest Asia and North Africa. Laws supporting male–male or female–female marriage or equivalent substitute are found primarily in Europe and Latin America.